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OF 



WILHELM BUSCH 

AUTHOR OF "MAX AND MAURICE.'' 



BY 



CHARLES T. BROOKS. 



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BOSTON: 
ROBERTS BROTHERS. 
1883. 



Copyright, 1882, 
By Roberts Brothers. 



University PressY 
John Wilson and Son, Cambridge. 



PLISH AND PLUM. 



CHAPTER I. 

With a pipe between his lips, 
Two young dogs upon his hips, 




Jogs along old Caspar Sly; 

How that man can smoke — oh my ! 

But although the pipe-bowl glows 

Red and hot beneath his nose, 

Yet his heart is icy-cold ; 

How can earth such wretches hold ! 

'* Of what earthly use to me 

Can such brutes," he mutters, " be ? 

Do they earn their vittles ? No ! 

'Tis high time I let 'em go. 



4 



PLISH AND PLUM. 



What you don't want, fling away! 
Them 's my sentiments, I say ! " 




O'er the pond he silent bends, 

For to drown them he intends. 

With their legs the quadrupeds 

Kick and squirm, — can't move their heads; 

And the inner voice speaks out : 

How 't will end we gravely doubt. 




Plish! — a headlong dive he takes. 




Plum! — the wave engulfs the brute. 




" That's well ended," Caspar cries, 
Puffs away and homeward hies. 



3 



PLISH AND PLUM. 



But, as often happens, here too 
Things don't go as they appear to. 
Paul and Peter, — so 'twas fated,— 
Naked in the bushes waited 
For a swim; and they descry 
What was done by wicked Sly. 




Quickly each one with his hand 
Drags a little dog to land. 



PLISH AND PLUM. 



9 




"Plish, I'll call my dog," cried Paul; 
"Plum," said Peter, "mine I'll call." 




Paul and Peter then with pleasure, 
Tenderly took each his treasure, 
And, with speed and joy past telling, 
Steered for the parental dwelling. 



PLISH AND PLUM. 



CHAPTER II. 

Papa Fittig, calm and cosy, 
Mamma Fittig, round and rosy, 
Arm in arm sit peaceful there — 




Troubled by no speck of care — 
On the bench before the door; 
For the summer day is o'er, 
And the supper hour is near, 
And the lads will soon be here. 



PLISH AND PLUM. 




Soon they burst upon the view, 
Plish and Plum are with them too. 




Fittig thinks a dog a plague : 
" Nah ! " he cries, — " excuse, I beg!" 
But mamma with soft looks pleaded : 
"Let them, Fittig!" — and succeeded. 



PLISH AND PLUM. 

Evening milk, fresh and delicious, 
On the table stood in dishes. 




Joyfully they haste indoors; 
Plish and Plum ahead, of course. 



PLISH AND PLUM. 




14 PLISH AND PLUM. 




At the window peeps old Sly, 
Chuckles loud and says: "My eye! 




This is very bad, he! he! 
Very bad, but not for me ! ! " 



PLISH AND PLUM. 



*5 



CHAPTER III. 

When night came, all worn and tired, 
As if nothing had transpired, 
Paul and Peter in their chamber 
Lay there, wrapt in peaceful slumber, 
A soft snoring through their noses 
Shows how tranquilly each dozes. 




But not so with Plish and Plum ! 
They sit ill-at-ease and glum, 




To turn in they too inclined. 



PLISH AND PLUM. 



17 



Plish, the dog's old rule to follow, 
Turns round thrice, his bed to hollow; 

Plum, however, shows a mind 
More affectionately inclined. 




When we dream of perfect rest 
Comes full many a troublous guest. 



8 



PLISH AND PLUM. 




" March ! " With this harsh word the pet 
Turn their outward summersets 



Coolness wakes activity; 

Time well-filled glides pleasantly. 




Means of sport are handy too, 
Here a stocking — there a shoe. 
These, before the morning glow, 
Curious changes undergo. 



PLISH AND PLUM. 




Pale the father cries : '* This will 
Be a monstrous heavy bill ! " 



20 



PLISH AND PLUM. 



Vengeful claws are in the air; 
Feigning sleep, the rogues lie there; 




But the mother begs : " I pray, 
Fittig dear, thy wrath allay ! " 
And her loving words assuage 
The stern father's boiling rage. 



PLISH AND PLUM. 



Paul and Peter never care 

How they look or what they wear. 




Peter two old slippers gets, 
Paul his infant pantalets. 




Plish and Plum, in morals blind, 
To the dog-house are confined. 



PLI.SH AND PLUM. 




" This is bad ! " says Sly, " he ! he 
Very bad, but not for me ! " 



CHAPTER IV. 
Caught at last in wiry house, 



Sits that most audacious mouse, 
Who, with many a nightly antic, 
Drove poor Mamma Fittig frantic, 
Rioting, with paws erratic, 
From the cellar to the attic. 




PLISH AND PLUM. 



23 




This event to Plish and Plum 

Was a long-sought gaudium; 

For the word was : " Stu-boys ! take him ! 

Seize the wicked grinder — shake him!" 




Soft! a refuge mousey reaches 
In a leg of Peter's breeches. 



24 



PLISH AND PLUM. 




Nip ! the mousey with his tooth 
Stings the smeller of the youth. 



PLISH AND PLUM. 



25 




Plish essays to pull him clear; 




Nip ! the plague 's on Plish's ear. 



26 



PLISH AND PLUM. 




Kritze-kratze ! what will be- 
Come, sweet flower-plot, of thee ? 



PLISH AND PLUM. 



27 



At that moment Madam Mieding, 
With fresh oil, her lamp is feeding; 





And her heart comes near to breaking, 
With those pests her garden wrecking. 




Indignation lends her wings, 
And the oil-can, too, she brings. 



28 



PLISH AND PLUM. 




Now, with mingling joy and wrath, 
She gives each a shower-bath — 
First to Plish and then to Plum, 
Shower-bath of petroleum ! 




Of the effect that might be wrought, 
Madam Mieding had not thought. 



PLISH AND PLUM. 




But what presently took place, 
Right before this lady's face, 
Made her shut her eyes, so dazed 
That she shrieked like one half crazed, 



30 



PUSH AND PLUM. 




Drew a heavy sigh, and soon 
Gasped and sank down in a swoon. 



PLISH AND PLUM. 



31 




Paul and Peter, hard and cool, 
Heed not much the Golden Rule. 
Suffering, stretched beside the way 
Never once disturbs their play. 




" Bad enough ! " says Sly ; " he ! he ! 
Shocking bad ! but not for me ! 



PLISH AND PLUM. 



CHAPTER V. 

Breeches short and long surtout, 
Crooked nose and cane to suit, 
Gray of soul and black of eye, 
Hat slouched back, expression sly 




Such is old Sol Shuffleshins; 
How complacently he grins ! 



PLI5H AND PLUM. 



33 




Scarcely has the echo gone, 

When the following scene comes on. 



34 



PLISH AND PLUM. 




Turn and twist him as he will, 
Plish and Plum stick to him still; 




Underneath his long surtout 
Tugs and tears each crazy brute. 



PLISH AND PLUM. 



35 




Presto ! What strange dog is there, 
Hat in mouth? the young ones stare. 



PLISH AND PLUM. 




What queer quadruped can he, 
Backing toward the doorway, be ? 
Mrs. Fittig hears the clatter, 
Comes to see what is the matter. 




Soft as on a mossy bank, 

In her lap Sol backward sank. 



PLISH AND PLUM. 



37 




Fittig also came in view. 

" Ovv ! " cried Sol, " I 'm torn in two ! 

Herr von Fittig pays me for't, 

Or I '11 carry it to court ! " 




He must pay; that makes him pout 
Worse than having ten teeth out. 



33 



PLISH AND PLUM. 




In despair he casts askance 

At that youthful pair a glance, — 

Seeming plainly to confess, 

" I Ve no words your shame to express." 

Little care the hardened creatures 

For their parent's play of features. 




"Bad enough"! says Sly, "he! he! 
Awful bad ! but not for me ! " 



PLISH AND PLUM. 



CHAPTER VI. 

Plish and Plum, their deeds declare, 
Are a graceless, low-lived pair. 




Yet they live in close communion ; 
And for that, in my opinion, 
They deserve some commendation; 
But will 't be of long duration ? 
"Rogue & Co." — such firm, be sure, 
Cannot many days endure. 




To our pair this lovely sight 
Is a rare and keen delight. 



PLISH AND PLUM. 




Each would gain the foremost place 
To behold that beauteous face. 
If the front is gained by Plish, 
Plum looks glum and dismalish; 




PLISH AND PLUM. 




Soon low-muttering thunders growl, 
Paws scratch gravel, eyeballs roll, 




And the furious fight begins; 




Plum cuts dirt, his brother wins. 



PLISH AND PLUM. 



43 



Mamma Fittig stands and makes 
Chicken salad and pancakes,-— 




Those well known and favorite dishes, 
Every child devoutly wishes. 



PLISH AND PLUM. 




Whirr ! right through the window come, 
Helter-skelter, Plish and Plum. 



PLISH AND PLUM. 



Pot and pan and stove and stew 
Mingle in one grand ragout. 
"Wait! you vile Plish ! " Peter holloos, 
And the word instanter follows 




With a well-aimed blow; but Paul 
Does n't relish that at all. 



4 6 



PLISH AND PLUM. 




Who, inflamed with pain and passion, 
Winds up Paul in curious fashion. 



PLISH AND PLUM. 




Now the battle desperate grows 
Each the costly salad throws, 
In a frenzy, at his brother, 
And they poultice one another. 



4 8 



PLISH AND PLUM. 



In comes papa Fittig, hasting 
To inflict on them a basting. 




Mamma Fittig, full of kindness, 
Fearing anger's headlong blindness, 
Cries, " Best Fittig ! pray consider ! " 
But her zeal for once undid her. 



PLISH AND PLUM. 49 



Her lace cap, so nice and new, 
Fittig's cane has bored quite through. 




Laughs the wicked Sly, " He ! he! 
All are done for, now, I see ! " 




He who laughs at others' woes 
Makes few friends and many foes. 



PLI5H AND PLUM. 



51 




"Bad/' said Sly. "as bad can be, 
And this once,, too, bad for me ! " 



PUSH AND PLUM. 



CHAPTER VII. 

So now there sit Plish and Plum, 
Very dull and very glum. 




Two strong chains, and short, did hem 
The activity of them. 




Fittig seriously reflected : 
"This must somehow be corrected! 
Virtue needs encouragement; 
Vice gets on by natural bent." 



PUSH AND PLUM. 



Paul and Peter now began 
Schooling with Herr Buckleman. 
At the first day's session he 
Thus addressed them pleasantly: 




" Dear lads, — I assure you, I am very 

Glad you have come to this seminary; 

And, as I hope, with all your powers 

Intend to improve these precious hours. 

And first, the things most important to mention, 

Reading, writing, and ciphering will claim our attention 

For these are the arts by which man rises 

To honor and wealth, and wins great prizes. 



PLISH AND PLUM. 



But, secondly, what good would all this do, 
Unless politeness were added thereto ? 
For he who is not polite to all 
Into trouble will certainly fall. 
Finally, therefore, bending before you, 
As you see, I entreat and implore you, 




If in good, faith you have made up your mind 
To follow the rules I have now defined, 
Then lift up your hands and look me in the eye, 
And say, ' Herr Buckleman, we will try ! ' " 



PLISH AND PLUM, 



Paul and Peter thought: "Old man, 

D' ye think us greenhorns ? Is that your plan ? " 



55 




The\' give no answer, but inwardly 
They grin and giggle, and say, "he! he! 
Whereat old Master Buckleman 
Gave a low whistle, and thus began : 



56 



PLISH AND PLUM. 



" Since, then, you 've resolved to be 
Hardened reprobates," said he, 
" I am resolved, face down, to lay 
You both across my desk straightway, 
Applying the stick to your hinder parts 
In hopes of softening your hard hearts." 




Drawing out then from beneath 
His coat, like sabre from its sheath, 



PLISH AND PLUM. 

His good hazel rod, of stuff 
Flexible and tight and tough, — 
He with many a sturdy thwack 
Laid it on each urchin's back. 




Nay, he trounced two backs in one, 
Till he deemed the work was done. 



PLISH AND PLUM. 



" Now then," he spoke in a tranquil way, 
" Beloved children, what do you say ? 




Are you content and are we agreed ? " 
"Yes, yes, Herr Buckleman, — yes, indeed!" 



PLISH AND PLUM. 



Such was the method of Buckleman; 
We see the good effects of his plan. 




'Twas the talk of the people, one and all, 
" Charming children — Peter and Paul!" 
And so they tried it on Plish and Plum : 
They too, also, to school must come. 




And the Buckleman plan 's applied 
Faithfully to each one's hide. 



6o 



PLISH AND PLUM. 



Masters of Arts, they're soon approved, 
And universally beloved; 




And, as one might well expect, 
Art shows practical effect. 



PLISH AND PLUM. 



CONCLUSION. 

One day travelling through the land, 
With a field-glass in his hand, 
A well-dressed man of fortune came ; 
Mister Peep, they called his name. 




" Can't I, as I pass," said he, 
" View the distant scenery ? 
Beauty reigns elsewhere, I know, 
Whereas here 'tis but so-so." 



62 



PLISH AND PLUM. 

Here he pitched into the pond, 




Viewed the mud and naught beyond. 
" Paul and Peter, — look and see 
Where the gentleman can be ! " 




So said Fittig, who just then 
Walked forth with the little men; 



PLISH AND PLUM. 



63 



But full soon it was made plain 
Where the gentleman had lain, 




When he, minus hat and glass, 
Stood all dripping on the grass. 




"Allez! Plish and Plum, apport!" 
Came the order from the shore. 



6 4 



PLISH AND PLUM. 



Strictly trained to fetch and carry, — 
Not a moment did they tarry, — 
Fetched the lost goods from the deep. 
" Very well," cried Mister Peep. 




" Nice dogs, friend, F 11 buy the two ; 
How '11 a hundred dollars do ? " 
Papa Fittig's head inclined : 
"The gentleman is very kind." 



PLISH AND PLUM. 



On new legs he seems to stand, 
Such a pile of cash in hand. 




" Ah, you darlings, Plish and Plum ! 
We must part — the hour has come — 
On this very spot, right here, 
Where we four, this time last year, 
Were united, by the pond, 
In a sweet and solemn bond. 
May your life in peace be led, 
^ With beefsteak for daily bread." 



66 



PLISH AND PLUM. 



Now all this was seen by Sly, 
Just then happening to pass by. 
" Very pleasant," mutters he, 
" Yes, no doubt, but not for me." 




Envy, like a poisoned dart, 
Stung him to the very heart. 
All before him misty grows ; 
Legs give way and back he goes, 



PLISH AND PLUM. 
Down into the oozy damp; 




Quenched forever is life's lamp ! 
Left alone upon the shore, 
Quickened by his breath no more 
Faintly gleams the expiring soul 
Of the pipe within the bowl; 
One blue cloud I see ascend, 
Futt! the tale is at an 
End. 




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